Under the strategic leadership of Coach Cael Sanderson, the Penn State wrestling team delivered a dominant performance against No. 8 Missouri at the Journeymen Duals on December 22, 2024, culminating in a 41-3 victory. The Nittany Lions’ display of technical prowess and conditioning was evident across multiple weight classes. At 149 pounds, sophomore Shayne Van Ness, ranked No. 2, faced Zeke Seltzer. Van Ness secured an early takedown and capitalized by pinning Seltzer at the 1:57 mark, earning a crucial six points for the team.
In the 157-pound category, sophomore Tyler Kasak, holding the No. 4 ranking, squared off against James Conway. Kasak’s relentless offense led to multiple takedowns, culminating in an 11-3 major decision, further extending Penn State’s lead. Sophomore Mitchell Mesenbrink, the top-ranked wrestler at 165 pounds, won by forfeit, adding six uncontested points to the team’s tally.
A highlight of the dual was the 174-pound bout between junior Levi Haines, ranked No. 2, and Missouri’s No. 1 ranked Keegan O’Toole. The match was a tactical battle, with Haines securing an escape to lead 1-0 entering the third period. O’Toole managed an escape to tie the match, pushing it into sudden victory overtime, where he secured a takedown to win 4-1. Despite this setback, Penn State’s overwhelming performance in other matches secured their decisive victory.
